Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-12-15

hardship but the necessities of life used sand
consumed by all the people, the duty upon which
adds TO the cost Of living in every home shorld
be greatly cheapened The radical reduction Of
the duties imposed upon raw material used In
manufactures, it's free importation h. of
course, an important factor In any effort 70 re-
duce the price Of these neosssaries; it would not
only relieve them from the increased cost caused
by the tariff on such material, but the manufact-
ured product being thus cheapened that part OF
the tariff now laid upon such product, as a COM
price of raw material, could be accordingly mod
ified. Such reduction, or free importation would
serve besides to largely reduce the
such change can have any injurious
effect upon our manufacturers On the contrary
It would appear TO give them better chance in
foreign markets with the manufacturers OF other
countries who cheaper their wares by free ma
terial Thus our people might have
the opportunity Of extending their sales
ton, saving them from the depression.
interruption in business and loss caused by a
glutted domestic market, and affording their en-
plo, more certain and steady labor Wasl its re-
suiting quiet and contentment.
The question thus imperatively presented for
solution should be approached In a spirit higher
than craftsmanship, and considered IN the light OF
that regard for patriotic duty which should
| characterize the action of those intrusted with
the veal OF conhding people. But the obligA-
ton 70 declared party policy and principle ia not
| wanting to urge prompt and effective action.
Both OF the great political parties now repre-
scented in the government. have, by repeated
| and authoritative declarations condemned the
condition Of our laws which permit the collec-
ton from the people Of unnecessary revenue,
and have In the most solemn manner promised
us correction; and neither as citizens or parti-
sans are our countrynen in a mood to condone
the deliberate violation of these pledges
Our progress toward q wise conclusion will not
be improved by dwelling upon the theories of
protection and free trade, This savors too much
of bandyipg epthets. 1t is a condition which
confrents us--not theory. Relief from this
condition may involve slight reduction Of the
advantages which we award our home prOduc-
tions, but the entire withdrawal Of such ndvan-
tages should not be contemplated. The question
of free TRADE is absolutely irrelevant and the per-
sistent CLAIMS made IN certain quarters, that all
effort to relieve the people from unjust and I'M
necessary taxation are schemes of so-called free
traders Is mischievous and far removed from
any consideration for the public good. The
simple and plain duty which we Owe the people
| is to reduce taxation to tho necessary expenses
of an economical cparation OF tho government,
and to restore 70 the business OF the country the
money which we hold in the treasury through
the perversion OF governmental powers. These
things and should be done with safety to all
our Industries without danger to the oppcrtun-
ity for remunerGtve labor which our working
men need, and with beneBl to them and all our
people, by cheapening their means of subsis-
tence and increasing the measure Of their com
forts.
The constitution provides that the president
shall from time to time, give to the congress
information Of the state of the Union" 1t has
Dttu the cubtCui executive, III COUpuduCe
with this provision, TO annually exhibit TO the
congress- at the opening of its session, the gen.
eral condition of the country, and to detail, with
some particularly, the operations of the differ
ent executive departments IL would be espe
cially agreeable to follow this course at the pres
ent time and to call attention to the valuable
accomplishments of these departments during
the last fiscal year, but am much impressed
with the paramount Importance Of the subject
to which this communication has thus far been
devoted, that shall forego the addition OF any
other topic and only urge upon your immediate
consideration the state OF the Union" as shown
in tho present condition of our treasury and our
general fiscal situation, upon which every ole
ment OF our safety and prosperity depends.
Tho reports of the heads of departments, which
will be submitted, contain full and explicit
intor nation touching tina trans actions OF
the business intrusted TO them ana such recoul-
mendations relating TO legislation IN the public
interest as they deem advisable ask for those
reports and recommendations the deliberate ex-
animation and action of the Legislative branch OF
the government
There are other subjects not embraced in the
departmental reports demanding legislative con-
sideraton and which should be glad 10 submit.
Some of them, however, have been earnestly
presented III previous messages aad as 10 them,
beg leave to repeat prior recommendations. AS
the law makes no provision cor any report from
the department OF state, q brief history OF the
transactions Of that important department, to-
gether with other matters which 1t may here
after be deemed essential TO commend to the
attention al the congress- may furnish the occa-
sion for future connlunef .iaH.
grower CLEVELAND
WASHINGTON, December q 1887